HS Prannoy fears ‘bleak’ future for Indian shuttlers

New Delhi: The emotional and financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is weighing on Indian shuttler HS Prannoy’s mind and he believes that the already “bleak” scenario would only get worse if things don’t take a turn for the better in one and a half month’s time.

The coronavirus outbreak, which has killed over 40,000
globally, has put countries in lockdown and halted sports, including badminton,
across the world. It has also triggered financial and mental woes across the
world.

“It is not a great time for any of the companies, they
are not earning now with this lockdown and everything depends on sponsors, so
yeah, it will have an impact on the sport,” Prannoy, a Commonwealth Games
gold-medallist, said.

“…the sponsors, they must have invested in other sports
as well. So I think things are very bleak for badminton and sports overall.

“We have less revenue coming in from a couple of places
and if that also stops after a while, it will be a big problem for players. So,
I hope it gets normal in one and a half month’s time,” he explained.

Athletes around the globe, including multiple Grand Slam
winner Serena Williams and decorated swimmer Michael Phelps, have spoken about
the effect of this lockdown on the mental health of the athletes.

“There might be so many who would be anxious to go out
there and play, probably 80 per cent of them, and it is not only about
sportspersons, each and every individual might have mental issues…but we
don’t have a choice right now,” Prannoy said.

“We have to take it positively. We should find fun in
whatever we are doing right now in everyday life, things which we have not been
able to do all these years in our professional careers.

“Better to enjoy this time and keep up the fitness, work
out, it will take away all the fatigue, both mental and physical. Just keep
working.”

Last month, Prannoy skipped the All England Championships
due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the host country.

He was critical of the Badminton World Federation’s
decision to conduct the prestigious event despite the growing fears and also
for not freezing the ranking in time.

Now that BWF has decided to freeze world rankings
backdated to March 17, Prannoy welcomed the move but said the world body needs
to be more proactive and prioritise the interests of the players.

“I think the BWF should be quick in reacting to these
things. Until and unless players are taking to social media, they are not doing
anything. They didn’t take any decision on ranking till players spoke about it.
All England also, they were not serious,” the 27-year-old said.

The former World No 8 said BWF needs to change its rules
and appoint better umpires in big events besides ensuring video referral option
in all courts.

“They have to prioritise players first. Badminton doesn’t
have big money, and BWF is only

putting players under pressure, there are many rules
which are not helping players in any way,” Prannoy said.

“There are small things which make a big impact in sports
like umpiring. In bigger tournaments like All England Championships at least,
get the best umpires, they are not able to pay good money to umpires and
referees.

“Also, the BWF needs to make video line calls mandatory
for each court and not just centre court. All England is the biggest event in
the world and still they haven’t been able to do that, so these things don’t
make sense.”

Prannoy has been going through a tough phase in the last
one and a half years with health issues and injuries affecting his performance.

However, this enforced break has given him enough time to
work on his fitness and game.

“This break is good for someone like me, who is not in a
good shape or has been struggling. Everyone will be back to zero and have to
think and restart so in a way it is a relief,” said the current World No 28,
who has been taking fitness lessons via video conference with his trainer Dinaz
every alternate day.

“This way you can catch up with others. Because when
injury happens, it becomes difficult to catch up, you are always under pressure
to cope up, so after 15-21 days of break, everyone will be same.

“It will give you freedom to try so many things, I think
after this break, it will be easier to understand what you need to do to get
better results.”